BCCI makes Cricket South Africa sweat over India's tour in December

Updated: 21 October 2013 22:44 IST

Cricket South Africa and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to officially announce the scheduled tour. Media reports say India have principally agreed to play 2 Tests and 3 ODIs in December, but the South Africans want a third Test.

Written by Soumitra Bose

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Cricket South Africa has admitted to Sports.NDTV.com that it was "still discussing" India's tour of South Africa in December. CSA media manager Altaaf Kazi said on Monday, "We are still in discussions and nothing is confirmed yet."

India and South Africa are discussing the prospect of a bilateral series as per the ICC FTP calendar. The BCCI has apparently refused to play a series consisting of 3 Test matches and 7 ODIs. Sources also reveal BCCI is unhappy over the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as CSA CEO. What has added fuel to fire is a media statement from former ICC legal head David Becker who has blamed BCCI president N. Srinivasan of openly violating the FTP calendar which was accepted by the ICC Board. Becker complains Srinivasan has arm-twisted Boards to suit BCCI's needs.

BCCI, while refusing to play a 3-Test, 7-ODI series against South Africa, have convinced the West Indies to play an unscheduled 2-Test, 3-ODI series in India in November. This series will also see Sachin Tendulkar retiring from Test cricket. Last week, Srinivasan met CSA president Chris Nenzani in London to discuss India's tour of South Africa but the BCCI gave no final commitment. The issue is expected to be discussed at BCCI's working committee meeting on October 26.

Apart from Lorgat, BCCI has apparently demanded action against Becker, who currently advises CSA. Known to be a Lorgat ally, BCCI will be keen to see what action the South Africans take against the former ICC legal chief. This probably seems what Kazi means as "discussions".

Recently, Becker had circulated a statement to the media, saying, "The blatant manipulation of voting by Srinivasan to oust Tim May from the ICC Cricket Committee was another (manipulation). But perhaps the most concerning example is the recent attempt by Srinivasan to manipulate the FTP schedule to his own benefit. There is a formal, unequivocal and unanimous ICC board resolution approving the current FTP schedule (including three Test matches, seven ODIs and two T20 internationals between India and South Africa). When the ICC allows one of its directors to blatantly disregard an ICC board resolution, it becomes more than questionable governance - it becomes improper. Shashank Manohar would never have allowed it. Neither would former ICC Presidents Sharad Pawar or David Morgan." (Read full story)

Though India had principally agreed to a 2-Test, 3-ODI arrangement after meeting with Chris Nenzani last week, it seems David Becker's outburst has thrown a spanner in the works.

It seems Srinivasan feels that Becker, who worked closely with Lorgat was instigated by the latter to make this statement.

Sources to NDTV say that Lorgat's presence in London with the South African delegation may have further complicated the matter. The Becker issue continues to bug the Indian officials.